Panasonic's home of the future will blow your mind

The high-tech home of the Jetsons just got a little closer to reality.

Demonstrated at this year's CEATEC 2016, Panasonic unveiled a full range of IoT (Internet of Things) smart home products at its "Unique Interface/Unique Experience" exhibition. Its exhibition used existing and in-development technologies to show the kitchen of the not-too-distant future.

Shown in the above video, the shelves are kitted out with the company's transparent displays -- sliding glass panels that double as an OLED monitor -- turning ordinary shelves into full sized, high-fidelity TV displays.

The Flat Cooker, what looks to be a stylish-yet-ordinary dining room table, is a new concept cooker, where food is cooked directly on the plate by placing a specialised lid over it. Once the metal-rimmed lid makes contact with the table, ingredients within begin to heat up, while the rest of the surface remains room temperature.

Should you like to drink the occasional glass of wine and wish to keep your bottles cool, the same technology used in the transparent display shelves are also present in a wine cabinet. With a tap of the glass, it can display and modify the cabinet's internal temperature and humidity, list off the details of each bottle and provide cooking recipes for food that compliments your drink of choice.

The smart home market -- ordinary household appliances made "smart" by IoT -- is expected to double in size in the coming years. It'll grow from its 2015 worth of $46 billion to over $120 billion by 2022, according to Markets and Markets.

Tags:
    Appliance Smart Home SmartThings
Resource :https://www.cnet.com/news/panasonics-home-of-the-future-looks-amazing/

Cash, gift vouchers most preferred Diwali gift by employees, says ASSOCHAM survey

 New Delhi: While a box of traditional sweets is the least desirable gift for office workers, cash and gift coupons/vouchers, prepaid cards are most desired this Diwali festival, noted a just-concluded survey by apex industry body ASSOCHAM.

The ASSOCHAM Social Development Foundation conducted an online survey to gauge 1,000 full-time office workers' opinions and about 500 human resource professionals on Diwali festival bonuses given by companies and their desired gifts between October 1 - October 15 in 10 cities of - Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, and Mumbai.

The ASSOCHAM survey showed that 45 per cent of office workers wanted cash or gift coupons/vouchers, 35 per cent wanted gadgets/electronic item/home appliances/utensils and other such things for personal use or for use in their households, 15 per cent gift-boxes of sweets or cookies and the remaining preferred various other things.

However over half of the HR professionals that ASSOCHAM interacted with said that cash rewards have the lowest impact and do little to improve employee satisfaction and performance, many of these opined that non-financial rewards have a greater and longer-lasting effect on employee.

Most of the HR professionals said their companies have identified staff members who have consistently performed better and deserve to be recognised with something 'tangible.'

Further elaborating on this aspect, many said their companies adhere to the policy of meritocracy and would reward only the best staff thereby making it performance-based and not across the board.

"Most of the companies in private sector have gradually moved away from a fixed Diwali bonus and instead provide benefits considering employees' individual performance for past few years, so hardly any change is expected on this front," said Mr D.S. Rawat, secretary general of ASSOCHAM while releasing findings of the chamber's survey.

"Though companies are not getting very generous, but considering that Diwali being one of India's widely celebrated annual festival, corporate gifting has become a tradition to express gratitude, appreciation, develop relationships and generate goodwill amid peers and employees," said Mr Rawat.

Many HR representatives also said that though they have earmarked a certain amount towards corporate gifting, but they have not increased their budget compared to last year.

Many of these said they plan to give gift hampers including assorted chocolates, imported liquor, genuine leather bags and even personalised gifts like gym/club membership to their deserving employees and clients this year.

Crockery, sweets, dry fruits, bed sheets, gold coins, home decor, tableware, luxury watches, designer apparel, expensive writing instruments, free holiday packages, movie tickets, dinner coupons, spa vouchers and hampers with a mix of festive essentials like torans, diyas, aromatic candles remain certain other popular gift options this year too.
Resource  :http://retail.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/cash-gift-vouchers-most-preferred-diwali-gift-by-employees-says-assocham-survey/55027057

BRIEF-Home appliances maker Wuxi Little Swan's Q3 net profit up 30.3 pct

Oct 24 Wuxi Little Swan Co Ltd

* Says Q3 net profit up 30.3 percent y/y at 332.3 million yuan ($49.09 million)

Source text in Chinese: bit.ly/2eAowG5

Further company coverage: ($1 = 6.7689 Chinese yuan renminbi) (Reporting by Hong Kong newsroom)
Resource :http://in.reuters.com/article/idINL4N1CU2L3

Perlora Loft has furnishings for the modern millennial

After 22 years of trying to get the owners of the old St. Elmo’s bookstore at 2214  East Carson St. to sell the building, Perry Siegsmund was finally successful.

“It just sat empty for  years,” said Mr. Siegsmund, who with his wife, Lora, owns Pelora, the contemporary furniture store next door. “They just didn’t want to sell, but I would call every six months or so and ask if they were ready to sell.”

He ultimately prevailed, and earlier this month they opened a new showroom that has expanded their current store by an additional 4,000 square feet. “We had to re-plumb and rewire the entire place,” he said. “It’s been a big investment.”

With this added space they aim to appeal to modern-minded millennials as well as downsizers. The Siegsmunds also own Perlora Leather in the Strip District.

The new showroom has its own name and identity: Perlora Loft.

While furniture shopping, like so many things, is migrating online, Perlora aims to buck that trend with what Mrs. Siegsmund says is excellent service and products that shoppers can see and feel before pulling out their credit card. The store offers a free interior design service to purchasing customers.

“Perlora Loft is designed for a younger demographic with a lower price point and a modern appeal,” said Mrs. Siegsmund.  The first floor of the former bookstore is filled with the  EQ3 brand furniture such as the Simple Queen platform bed and the popular Arie chair with a metal base that swivels all the way around.

The second floor was once an apartment building, so the couple decided to keep the original rooms and windows that look out into the hall. “It’s so funny,” said Mrs. Siegsmund.

“We used a few rooms of the apartment to showcase how the furniture would look in an actual room,” Mr. Siegsmund added. There are several brands to look at upstairs, including Innovation, Moe’s, BDI and Stressless You by Ekornes.  The display in the front room is built around the fireplace.  In there you will find the double-louvered door Corridor Bar by BDI and Moe’s wall unit behind the Brady Collection sofa. 

Patricia Sheridan: psheridan@post-gazette.com, 412-263-2613, Twitter: @pasheridan.
Resource  :http://www.post-gazette.com/life/homes/2016/10/24/Perlora-Loft-has-furnishings-for-the-modern-millennial/stories/201610240001

AT HOME WITH MARNI JAMESON: Part 3: Second Home Owners Offer First-Hand Advice

Is owning a second home all it’s cracked up to be? That’s the question I cast to my experience-wizened readers. And their resounding answer? A definitive sometimes.

Over the last two weeks in this column I’ve shared, in a general sense, the pluses and minuses of the second home. This week, I am giving the reins over to my readers, who have shared their first-hand knowledge of second-home ownership. Here are their lessons from the trenches, beaches, mountains and golf communities:

“Just think!”

“There we were, stretched out on the beach —in January!” begins Bonnie Wilkes, explaining how she and her husband, then Chicago residents, came to own a second home in Sarasota, Fla. “The temperature was in the mid-80s. Wow! We thought — just think if we could have this all the time! We should buy a second home here.”

And they did. That was 34 years ago. “Never again did we feel that same level of relaxation while on vacation at that same beach,” she continued. “Some days we didn’t even make it to the beach because we were waiting for the refrigerator repair guy. Instead of strolling the gift shops in the village, we were at a big box store looking for a TV for the guestroom.”

A second home is just that—a second home, Wilkes said, “with all the responsibilities any home requires, compounded by the fact that your time to fulfill those responsibilities is your vacation time.”

But the Wilkes’ story doesn’t end there. They retired 10 years ago, sold the Sarasota condo and their Chicago home, and bought a larger place — in Sarasota — where they now live permanently.

“We couldn’t be happier.”
Renting beats owning

“We’ve rented the second home and owned the second home,” said Claudia Latona, of Pittsburgh. “Yes, it’s nice to be surrounded by your own things, but owning a second place amounts to an expensive and demanding hobby. It’s much more relaxing to rent.”
Timing is everything

Five years ago, Carol and Tom Gordon, of San Anselmo, Calif., bought a cottage on Lake Erie, where Carol Gordon went every summer while growing up. “I wanted it as a way to stake my claim in the east,” she wrote. Now they are considering whether it’s worth keeping until they retire and can actually spend enough time there to justify the cost.

Gordon feels obligated to vacation there; however, getting there isn’t easy with their active older children. “So we think of selling. But not yet. It’s too beautiful of a spot. Sigh.”

What would she do differently? “We probably bought our second home too early, given our active family and the distance from California to New York. We would have been better off buying a closer place, or not purchasing a second home until our children were on their own.”
Location, location, location

Waiting till the kids were grown made a second-home investment pay off for Jane Gold, of Saratoga, Calif. After their three children were out of the house, she and her husband bought a second home in Lake Tahoe.

“Our family always vacationed there, and we have fond memories of those times.” Five years ago, they bought a house close to the lake and just a four-and-a-half-hour by car from their main home, so they can take their dogs. “We don’t regret buying one bit.”
Familiarity breeds success

Karen Shelby, of Decatur, Ill and her husband, who are retired, paid cash for a townhome by the beach in Fort Myers, Fla., a year and a half ago. “We love it,” she said.

She attributes their success to scouting the area thoroughly to find the right part of town, and setting a price limit. “We stuck to our guns. We were tempted to get more house for our money, but opted for a better neighborhood.”

Now, by renting their townhome out January through March, they make enough to cover their carrying costs for the year.
Bottom line proves bittersweet

Laurie Akin and her husband, both teachers, bought a condo 12 years ago on Siesta Beach, Fla., only 20 minutes away from their real-life house. When they weren’t enjoying the beach house, they rented it out.

However, last year when they retired, they did the math and realized they simply could not continue owning two households. Saying good-bye was bittersweet, said Akin, who savors the good times they had with family and friends, but doesn’t miss the “huge” responsibility.

“The romance of a second place is undeniable. But those magical moments must be balanced with the knowledge that real estate does not always go up. We took a loss when we had to sell what we imagined would be a good retirement investment. We are glad we did it, yet we are also glad we are out from under it.”
Costs accrue

“All the costs of a second home increase over time,” writes Estelle Stetz-Marcus, who moved to Orlando from Massachusetts, and keeps her former home as her second home. Appliances need replacing, utility costs inch up, property taxes rise. “You have to balance the joy a second home gives you (and seeing her grandkids there is a big motivation) versus the costs that accrue and accrue and accrue. After a certain age you just want life to be a little less complicated.”
Freedom rings.

Ann Rosenwald, of Colorado, had a second home in Virginia Beach for 10 years. “We did have amazing family times there,” she admits. But now that they’ve sold the getaway, they have spent what they used to devote to their second home on traveling the world. “We’ve been to wonderful places we wouldn’t have experienced if we’d still had our beach house.”

Rosenwald sums up our readers’ advice well: “If a second home is stretching you, and making you feel you have to vacation there, it can be an anchor around your neck. But if having the vacation home doesn’t stop you from traveling to other places, then go for it!”

Join me next week when a financial planner shares a checklist to help you decide whether a second home is right for you.
Resource  :http://www.nwitimes.com/lifestyles/home-and-garden/at-home-with-marni-jameson-part-second-home-owners-offer/article_9181d7b4-f350-589e-bdf2-d897c5d73a64.html

A Toddler Is Killed In A Fire, With His Dog Found Huddled Next To Him

The fire's temperature probably reached 1,000 degrees - so intense that it began to melt furniture and dishes.

As smoke poured out of the one-story home late Friday, neighbors in Spokane, Washington, called 911, dragged a garden hose across the street and tried to douse the flames.

Awakened by the fire, the man and woman who lived inside the rental house had dashed out with three children.

But a fourth child, a 3-year-old, was still inside.

Neighbors and police officers who arrived shortly after the call weren't able to get into the home because of the intense heat and flames, Brian Schaeffer, Spokane's assistant fire chief, told The Washington Post.

Firefighters arrived a little later and went through the front door in their protective suits. They found the boy's body in the back bedroom. Next to him was a teddy bear and the family's dog, a terrier mix. The dog was huddled over the boy, trying to protect him.

"The injuries were so extreme, his injuries were just incompatible with life," Schaeffer said.

"There was no way to survive that. It leaves a permanent scar in someone's memory. You can't unsee that."

Fire officials haven't said what caused the fire, which remains under investigation. The Spokane police department's major crimes unit was investigating the child's death, which is typical when a fire kills someone.

Between the fire and the investigation, Schaeffer estimated that he'd been up for 24 hours straight. When he woke up Sunday morning, he told The Post, he was still fuming over what investigators found in the home's charred wreckage: A smoke detector with no battery inside.

"With it being 2016, there's no reason a person should not have a smoke detector in their home," Schaeffer said. His department hands out smoke detectors free. "People are so busy and oftentimes the smoke detector falls way behind paying the rent or getting a job or putting food on the table."

"This is kind of what I'm struggling with," Schaeffer said. "This is our third fire fatality in a couple months. It's not only emotional, it's preventable. We would love our business to be proactive versus responsive. We wouldn't have to go through what we went through a few days ago with a grieving family."

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, three out of five deadly fires happen in homes without working smoke alarms.

Having a working smoke detector cuts the chances of dying in a house fire in half, the administration says.

Schaeffer's fire department had been spreading a fire-prevention message for National Fire Prevention Week, which was earlier this month.

The campaign, Schaeffer said, is more likely to save a child's life.

"You know children are at risk," he said. "They don't have the experience to get low and close the door, which is huge. (A smoke detector) will give you minutes in a residential fire."

Investigators haven't said what actually alerted the family to the smoke and flames on Friday night, or how they were able to save three children but not four. All that remains under investigation.

© 2016 The Washington Post

Resource http://www.ndtv.com/world-news/a-toddler-is-killed-in-a-fire-with-his-dog-found-huddled-next-to-him-1478154

Rent-A-Center Inc. (RCII) Hits New 52-week Low During October 11 Session

 Rent-A-Center Inc. (RCII) established a new 52-week low yesterday, and could be a company to watch at the open. After opening at $8.40, Rent-A-Center Inc. dropped to $8.00 for a new 52-week low. By the closing bell, the company's stock was at $9.18 a share for a loss of 28.73%.

Falling to a new 52-week low is never fun for company's shareholder, but, depending on who you ask, it can be either a buy or a sell signal. Someone bearish on the stock might see it reaching its lowest price in a year as a sign of growing downward momentum and make sure they sell their shares. Bulls, though, are more likely to see a new 52-week low as the stock hitting its low point and anticipate a bounce in the share price.

However one plays it, it's often a critical moment for any stock and should be noted by investors.

Rent-A-Center Inc. saw 11.98 million shares of its stock trade hands, that's out of 53.12 million shares outstand. The stock has an average daily volume of 784,294 shares. After hitting a new 52-week low, Rent-A-Center Inc. enters the new trading day with a market cap of 487.61 million, a 50-day SMA of $12.41 and a 200-day SMA of $12.98

For a complete fundamental analysis analysis of Rent-A-Center Inc., check out Equities.com’s Stock Valuation Analysis report for RCII. To see the latest independent stock recommendations from Equities.com’s analysts, visit our Research section.

Rent-A-Center Inc is a rent-to-own operator in North America. It offers durable products, such as consumer electronics, appliances, computers, smartphones, and furniture, under flexible rental purchase agreements with no long-term obligation.

Rent-A-Center Inc. has 24,300 employees, is led by CEO Robert D. Davis, and makes its home in Plano, TX.

Rent-A-Center Inc. is also a component of the Russell 2000 Index, which is generally viewed as the most reliable indicator of the health of the broader small-cap market. Using a rules-based methodology, it creates a simple, unbiased view of how America's stable of smaller publicly traded companies are performing in the stock markets.

The index consists of the 2,000 smallest companies of the 3,000 largest publicly-traded companies in the country as judged by market cap. It's constructed by Russell Investments, which also builds and maintains the Russell 3000 (an index consisting of all 3,000 biggest companies by market cap) and the large-cap Russell 1000 (which has the 1,000 largest companies from the Russell 3000).

For more news on the financial markets, go to Equities.com. Also, learn more about our independent proprietary equity research reports and our robust do-it-yourself Stock Valuation Analysis reports in our Research section.

All data provided by QuoteMedia and was accurate as of 4:30PM ET.

DISCLOSURE: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors, and do not represent the views of equities.com. Readers should not consider statements made by the author as formal recommendations and should consult their financial advisor before making any investment decisions. To read our full disclosure, please go to: http://www.equities.com/disclaimer
Resource  :https://www.equities.com/news/rent-a-center-inc-rcii-hits-new-52-week-low-during-october-11-session

Rent-A-Center Inc. (RCII) Drops 28.73% on October 11

Rent-A-Center Inc. (RCII) was one of the Russell 2000's biggest losers for Tuesday October 11 as the stock slid 28.73% to $9.18, a loss of $-3.7 per share. Starting at an opening price of $8.40 a share, the stock traded between $8.00 and $9.42 over the course of the trading day. Volume was 11.98 million shares over 45,020 trades, against an average daily volume of 784,294 shares and a total float of 53.12 million.

The losses send Rent-A-Center Inc. down to a market cap of $487.61 million. In the last year, Rent-A-Center Inc. has traded between $26.26 and $9.76, and its 50-day SMA is currently $12.41 and 200-day SMA is $12.98.

Rent-A-Center Inc is a rent-to-own operator in North America. It offers durable products, such as consumer electronics, appliances, computers, smartphones, and furniture, under flexible rental purchase agreements with no long-term obligation.

Rent-A-Center Inc. is based out of Plano, TX and has some 24,300 employees. Its CEO is Robert D. Davis.

For a complete fundamental analysis analysis of Rent-A-Center Inc., check out Equities.com’s Stock Valuation Analysis report for RCII. To see the latest independent stock recommendations from Equities.com’s analysts, visit our Research section.

The Russell 2000 is one of the leading indices tracking small-cap companies in the United States. It's maintained by Russell Investments, an industry leader in creating and maintaining indices, and consists of the smallest 2000 stocks from the broader Russell 3000 index.

Russell's indices differ from traditional indices like the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) or S&P 500, whose members are selected by committee, because they base membership entirely on an objective, rules based methodology. The 3,000 largest companies by market cap make up the Russell 3000, with the 2,000 smaller companies making up the Russell 2000. It's a simple approach that gives a broad, unbiased look at the small-cap market as a whole.

For more news on the financial markets, go to Equities.com. Also, learn more about our independent proprietary equity research reports and our robust do-it-yourself Stock Valuation Analysis reports in our Research section.

All data provided by QuoteMedia and was accurate as of 4:30PM ET.

DISCLOSURE: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors, and do not represent the views of equities.com. Readers should not consider statements made by the author as formal recommendations and should consult their financial advisor before making any investment decisions. To read our full disclosure, please go to: http://www.equities.com/disclaimer 

Resource  :https://www.equities.com/news/rent-a-center-inc-rcii-drops-28-73-on-october-11

Make Living Off-Campus Cheaper In 3 Steps

When we move into off-campus housing, we expect a lot of changes to take place. We are officially done with dorm life, can rely on roommates for the good and for the bad, and have the luxury of decorating our very own house/apartment.

Living off campus can get to be expensive if you are careless, so you should make it cheaper by sticking to certain rules. This way, you can enjoy all of the benefits while also saving money. It is basically a win-win.

1. Rent furniture.

When you move off-campus, that means that you at one point lived in a dorm. So you were used to its small living quarters, little to no furniture provided given the lack of space, and a forced roommate. Oh the joys and fond memories that exist.

In your own apartment you can save money on furniture by thrifting, splitting it, or renting it. Thrifting is great because you are purchasing mainly used, usually decent looking pieces. You can then split it up financially between all of your roommates. If you call the coffee table, then they get the love seat. It is only fair. It also is not a huge loss on your part if you decide you do not want certain items when you end up moving out. Hello donation pile.

However, when you rent furniture, you can simply pay a monthly fee, or purchase a package for the amount of time that you will need it. Just make sure that you try not to destroy or stain the items because that charge is not a good time. Most packages come with the necessities, like the bedroom space, living room and dining room. Plus, with renting you do not have to worry about moving it out at the end of your lease and finding a means to transport it to your new house. Cheers to saving money!

2. Find roommates.

Living with roommates is not always perfect, as we all know, but it can definitely be helpful. Especially when it comes to saving money, which is always our motive. Living alone in a studio is pretty expensive, so throw in that it is in a college town and you are practically asking for high prices. No thank you.

By having roommates, you can split a lot of the living costs. Obviously this entails rent and electric, but also groceries, furniture, and the miscellaneous items. Another pro is that if a few of you have cars, then you can share rides to campus, the grocery store, or anywhere really. It saves you both gas money and mileage on your car.

When living with roomies, it can be less expensive than living on-campus because you are also not paying for the benefits of your university’s amenities. This means the gym, food services, and obviously the dorm. Good news is that your tuition is still somewhat going toward these things so you can still use them without paying for all of it. In other words, you are saving money by not living on the school’s premises and using their address.

3. Cook at home.

Living on-campus usually translates into not having a kitchen of your own. You most likely had a floor kitchen if one at all, and then used the campus dining halls as your main source for food. When you leave your parents’ cooking, you tend to rely on someone else to feed you. We have all been there, guys.

However, now that you have your own kitchen, you can literally cook every meal at home. Okay, maybe not every single meal, but definitely more of them. Plus, it is nice to actually be able to cook again and not have to eat pizza every single day because that is all cafeterias know how to make. Sorry college food courts everywhere.

This saves everyone money because you can split your food with the roommates, plan and prep ahead of time (in theory of course), and not only eat out 24/7. You can also store your leftovers somewhere when you do happen to go out to eat, which is completely necessary. And cooking at home can create roomie bonding experiences, as well as helping you actually know how to survive on your own cooking. It can also cause a pretty big mess so make certain that you clean up after yourself. No one likes a dirty kitchen.

Moving off-campus is exciting for various reasons, but an imperative factor is because of the money that you individually save. You should rent your furniture (especially given its convenience), have roomies for cheaper rent (and all around bills), and — because you can and should — cook at home (we can try).

The goal is to save money and to better your finances, so with these hints, you should be well on your way to a large savings (spending) account.

Looking for an easy way to furnish your off-campus apartment? Renting furniture from CORT saves you time and money. See how easy it is to get great looking furniture without breaking the bank.
Resource :http://www.uloop.com/news/view.php/216032/Make-Living-Off-Campus-Cheaper-In-3-Steps

Botched point-of-sale move slams Rent-A-Center

Maybe Rent-A-Center should have rented before buying.

The furniture and equipment rental firm on Tuesday blamed a dreadful transition to a new cash-register system for a sudden drop in sales and profit.

Investors crushed the company's stock (RCII), driving shares down 34.7% in early trading to $8.41.

In an unusually early commentary on its third-quarter earnings performance, Rent-A-Center said that sales at stores open at least a year fell about 12%, compared to a year earlier.

“Following the implementation of our new point-of-sale system, we experienced system performance issues and outages that resulted in a larger than expected negative impact on core sales,” CEO Robert D. Davis said in a statement. "While we expect it to take several quarters to fully recover from the impact to the core portfolio, system performance has improved dramatically and we have started to see early indicators of collections improvement."

The company also said that U.S. gross profit as a percentage of total revenue would be flat for the third quarter.

Rent-A-Center will report third-quarter earnings on Oct. 27. The Plano, Texas-based firm offers rent-to-own deals on electronics, appliances, furniture and other home items.

Follow USA TODAY reporter Nathan Bomey on Twitter @NathanBomey.
Resource : http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2016/10/11/rent-a-center-profit-sales-third-quarter/91889618/

Renters receive iPhone 7 with new apartment at The Waverly

October Leasing Specials Appeal to Techies & Deal Seekers Alike

NEPTUNE TOWNSHIP — To shake up the rental market this fall, BNE Real Estate Group has introduced an exciting new promotion offering the hottest smart phone to renters at The Waverly: the just-released iPhone 7.

Anyone that rents a brand-new one or two-bedroom apartment during the month of October qualifies to receive the iPhone, in addition to other incentives currently being offered at The Waverly, which include free rent for up to two months and two complimentary parking spaces. With limited new-construction apartments available from $1700/month, value-seeking renters are encouraged to take advantage quickly. The promotion ends October 31st.

“We are thrilled to offer the newest iPhone to our renters,” said Kristina Hedden, vice president of marketing for BNE Real Estate Group, the developer of the community. “Beyond the amazing value that The Waverly already offers, it’s our way of saying ‘Thank you for choosing our community’ to our newest neighbors.”

Located right off of Exit 100 of the Garden State Parkway, The Waverly is a conveniently accessible community of 272 rental residences situated on a property of lush, landscaped lawns and tree-lined streets. The brand new, modern rental residences that remain available are situated in the newest section of the community, a four-story building with elevator access and the convenience of retail shops on the ground floor.

All apartments at The Waverly boast plush carpeted bedrooms, oversized windows with designer window treatments, soaring nine-foot ceilings, and smart home technology systems. Chef-inspired kitchens feature stone counters, custom maple cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, a dishwasher, refrigerator, gas range and pendant lighting, while lavish bath appointments include elegant stone floors, stone counters and custom maple vanities.

Prices start from the $1,700s for one-bedroom residences and from the $2,000s for two-bedroom residences. Limited den layouts are also available. Select buildings offer indoor access to private garage and storage areas, a big perk in both warm and cold weather months.

“I like the open space in my apartment, and having a washer and dryer in the unit is huge,” said Laura Carey, a Waverly resident. “I’m six miles from the beach, I have a beautiful Wegmans as a grocery store and a Walmart right across the street. I just love this place. Everything about it from the staff to the facilities to the actual apartment has been fantastic.”

Residents of The Waverly enjoy access to a full complement of amenities, including a state-of-the-art fitness center, WiFi business lounge, and a residents’ lounge with fireplace, lounge seating and a kitchenette. Outside, a heated outdoor pool with pool terrace, lounge seating, picnic area, and two children’s playgrounds provide numerous outdoor recreation options. Renters also enjoy covered parking and free WiFi access in all common areas of the property. Planned activities, such as community happy hours with complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeurves, contribute to the friendly atmosphere and the amenity-rich lifestyle.

The Waverly is a pet-friendly community operated onsite by BNE Management Group. It is located at 300 Waverly Avenue in Neptune, just off of Jumping Brook Road. In addition to the Garden State Parkway, Routes 66, 33, and 18 are also easily accessible and NJTRANSIT rail service is available at nearby Asbury Park and Bradley Beach stations. A variety of shops and restaurants are just minutes away, including the Jersey Shore Premium Outlets. Some of New Jersey’s most popular beaches are just a 10-minute drive away.

For more information about these exciting promotions and how to join The Waverly community, visit www.RentAtTheWaverly.com or call 732-922-2112.

About BNE Real Estate Group

With over 60 years of real estate development experience, BNE Real Estate Group is a national, family-owned organization that is firmly committed to creating exceptional living experiences for their residents. Their distinguished portfolio of properties include the development of tens of thousands of homes, more than 1 million square feet of commercial space, and the ownership and ongoing management of nearly 8,000 apartments, with communities stretching from the Tri-state area south to Florida, and west to Texas and California.
Resource  :http://www.gmnews.com/2016/10/07/renters-receive-iphone-7-with-new-apartment-at-the-waverly/

Make Your Guest Room Spectacular With This Furniture

When decorating your home, the first rooms that usually come to mind are the bedroom, living room, kitchen and bathroom. Once you become more settled in, other rooms like the office and basement come into play.

But what no one really ever thinks deeply about is the guest room. And I don’t blame them. I mean, the room isn’t even for you, it’s for guests.

Let’s put it this way — if you just throw an old bed and dresser in an empty room, no one will want to visit you and stay overnight. Now, you do not have to go spending $10,000 on the spare bedroom, but you should make an effort to create a warm environment.

So what exactly should a guest room entail?

Basics

First thing’s first – the bed. Yes, you can use an old bed frame from college or one off of craigslist. No, do not use a dirty, old mattress that has been around for more than 10 years. Either buy a whole new mattress, or spruce up a (sort of) old mattress. Again, not more than 10 years old.

Go out and buy a decent mattress foam pad and topper. That way you are not completely breaking the bank, and not breaking your guests’ backs. And on another note, this bed should be at least full-sized.

Same with the mattress — using old bedding is unclean and unflattering. Go out and buy an adult-looking, neutral comforter set. Start a color scheme with the bedding and work with other furniture from there.

According to womensday.com, “if your extra room is small, there’s probably not enough space for a proper reading chair. Solve this problem with a body pillow — your guests can use it as a makeshift couch during the day and snuggle up with it while they sleep.”

Besides the bedding and mattress, the next essential piece of furniture should be a dresser. Anyone who is staying in your guest room obviously packed clothes for the next day. Don’t be that host who makes their guests keep all their stuff in their suitcases.

Find a dresser with at least four drawers, that also matches the bed frame. You have to keep the color scheme alive.

Since the top of the drawer is easily accessible, place a mirror above it. This will come in handy if there isn’t a bathroom directly connected to the guest room. A lamp on top of the drawer wouldn’t be a bad idea either.

In addition to the drawer, the only other big piece of furniture you should have to buy should be a bedside table or two. This gives you more space for another lamp (lots of lighting is better than none). Also, this will probably be the “space” for phone charging. People like to have their phones close to them at night and in the morning for any quick looks on social media or exchanges of messages.

Magazines and books can also be kept in the nightstand for your guests’ pleasure. According to womansday.com, “A late-night read is a great way for a guest to wind down, and if it’ll be an extended stay, your visitor may want to cross some novels off of her reading list.”

Extras

Now that you have the basics, that should all be color coordinated, time to pick out some extras for living/decorating purposes.

According to hgtv.com, “Ensure that guests don’t miss any planned activities (or an early morning flight) by placing a small clock in their room.”

Sometimes phones do not make the best alarm clocks. All you need is a $20 electronic one to guarantee no one misses an early morning.

In addition, place a woven basket in the corner of the room or in the closet that is filled with guest towels. That way they aren’t searching through your house for extras or even sharing yours. In addition, you could also place a robe or blanket in there for extra comfort.

You cannot ignore the windows. Pick out a nice pair of curtains. By nice, I mean ones that actually block out the sunlight. Your guests’ sleeping preferences might be different compared to yours, and having the sun wake them up early will make for an unpleasant stay.

If you have room, don’t hesitate to fill the space with a desk or a chair. The desk can be a workspace or function as a vanity. It is best to find pieces of furniture that are versatile.

There are many different ways you can style a spare bedroom, but the key is to make your guests feel comfortable. If you can just fit a bed, make it as homey as possible. The more you can add, the more you should try to fill the room with relaxation.

Looking for an easy way to furnish your off-campus apartment? Renting furniture from CORT saves you time and money. See how easy it is to get great looking furniture without breaking the bank.

Resource   http://www.uloop.com/news/view.php/212721/Make-Your-Guest-Room-Spectacular-With-This-Furniture

Furlenco ties up with NoBroker to ease furnishing woes

New Delhi, May 11 (ANI): India's first online furniture rental company Furlenco has partnered with NoBroker, a brokerage-free marketplace for home-seekers and home-owners to connect without having to deal with brokers.

As part of the alliance, people who finalize a house with NoBroker can now enjoy the option to furnish it with top quality rented furniture by Furlenco.

Furlenco is now live on NoBroker's website and people looking for a house in Mumbai, Pune and Bangalore through NoBroker can opt to furnish their houses with stylish and contemporary furniture on rent as listed on the latter's website.

Commenting on the collaboration, Founder and CEO Furlenco, Ajith Mohan Karimpana said, "Finding an accommodation can be a tough challenge in metros. The situation becomes worse for the urban migrant population with white collar jobs who have to move cities or homes every three years. In such scenarios, they have to sell their furniture and picking up the right pieces again becomes a tedious task."

"By joining hands with NoBroker, we will give home seekers registered on their platform, easy access to furnishing their new pad through our furniture rental model. Within this one year, we have already beautified almost 5000 homes in Mumbai, Pune and Bangalore with our aspirational products. Through this association, we are mutually trying to create a community of furnished homes," added Ajith Mohan.

"NoBroker has been disrupting the real estate space by leading brokerage free rentals for the past two years. Since our inception , we are always looking at ways to create a seamless and convenient customer experience. The tie up with Furlenco will go a long way in benefiting our nine lakh customers," said Amit Kumar Agarwal, CEO and Co-Founder, NoBroker.com.

"Furnishing is one of the first things that anyone looks for once they have found a house. So it was only natural for NoBroker to partner with Furlenco. We are always looking at genuine and cost effective ways to help our customers save money. We are already helping our customers save more than 18 crores in brokerage every month. This tie will definitely help our customers and we are very happy to be partnering with Furlenco," added Amit Kumar.

A novel concept in the furniture space, Furlenco makes furnishing homes quick, easy and affordable. As part of their service, they charter an array of award-winning designer furniture that is high on quality with matching furnishings and decor on a monthly subscription fee.

The service also includes free doorstep delivery and installation making it an extremely convenient and hassle-free approach to own a home with dreamy interiors. One can rent beds with mattresses, sofa sets, couch sets, dining tables, recliners and much more starting at just Rs.999 per month. (ANI)
Resource :http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Furlenco-ties-up-with-NoBroker-to-ease-furnishing-woes/articleshow/52222504.cms

Is Renting Out Your Vacation Home Right For You?

 The vacation rental market is lucrative. Are you a Berkshires homeowner who wants to take advantage?

Greylock Insurance, Berkshire's Neighborhood Insurance Agency, is here to tell you how.

A lot has changed in the vacation travel industry over the past five years, but arguably the biggest game-changer has been the growing desire of travelers to book vacation home rentals versus staying at traditional hotels or resorts.

In fact, according to a study of the American traveler by the Ypartnership/Harrison Group, nearly 50 percent of all travelers are now interested in renting properties for their vacation.

So for Berkshire homeowners considering renting out their second home, there's no time like the present to get listing on apps like Airbnb, HomeAway, VRBO and FlipKey. Whether your rental property will offer vacationers a romantic mountain retreat or provide a great hub for a family ski excursion, people are going to be looking for fall and winter short term rental homes like yours very soon.


Three Appealing Reasons To Rent Your Vacation Home

Homeowners are definitely responding to vacation travelers' desires. According to HomeAway, a leading online marketplace for the vacation rental industry, more than 3 million people worldwide are now choosing to rent their second home, and money is the foremost reason. In fact, the company's website states that the average vacation rental earns approximately $28,000 a year, but that the top 5 percent of HomeAway owners earn up to $73,000 per year.

Vacation homeowners, like Diane B. from Andover, Mass., find that renting their property can bring in a considerable amount of income.

"We may not completely break even on our investment, but we come very close to covering all taxes, mortgage and other expenses," she said. This is true despite the fact that Diane and her husband Mark only rent their New Seabury, Mass., home for approximately three months out of the entire year. Not too shabby of an income for just about 90 days of home sharing.

Another reason more and more people are turning a private home into a vacation rental is that they simply aren't using their second home as much as they thought they would. Rather than let it sit empty, people want to share their special vacation home with others.

"We didn't initially think of our vacation home as an investment," Diane said. "We bought it because we loved it. But between work, kids, and other commitments, we found we weren't using it nearly as much as we expected to. And it seemed like such a shame to just have it sit there."

Finally, while renting may require some time, effort and patience, leaving your home empty for an extended period of time could come with its own issues, like a higher risk for damages, theft and vandalism. Just think what could happen if the pipes burst in your vacation home and no one is there to turn off the water or call the plumber.

If you're now thinking that there are more great reasons to rent your second home than not, then the next step is for Greylock Insurance to help you determine the best way for you to do this. As your Berkshire neighborhood insurance agent, we always have your back, and we are here for you in this exciting new phase of homeownership.

To successfully transition your vacation home to a rental property, you will need to change your mindset more than anything else. It's time to start treating your second home like a business and our team has put together some pointers to help you make this transition far less challenging.


Five Tips To Help You Transition Your Vacation Home To A Rental Property

Tip #1 : Do not live in your vacation rental property (or make it feel lived in).

There are just some things you don't do at your place of business. It's generally unacceptable to sleep overnight, leave your personal items strewn all over the place, or heat up leftover fish in the office microwave. There are some lines that just should not be crossed, and the same goes for your home now that you are renting it out.

Foremost Insurance specializes in insuring seasonal and short-term rental properties and is one of Greylock's top national insurance partners. Their company offers this definition of a vacation rental home: "A dwelling which is rented for residential purposes and has a lease agreement for less than 12 months (daily, weekly or monthly). Dwelling may be used by the owner for their own vacation purposes."

If your intention or situation is other than this, then you no longer have a vacation rental property. For instance, if you're renting your primary home out for a week here and there during events like the Baystate Winter Games or the Fall Foliage Festival, your home does not meet the requirements of a rental property. Conversely, if you are letting a renter stay on for more than twelve months, you are more likely becoming a landlord, whether that was your intention or not. In either situation, you should contact your current homeowners insurance agent ASAP to ensure you are not putting yourself and your home at risk of being denied coverage in the event of a loss.

So, if you're still reading this, we'll assume your home is indeed going to be a rental property. Next step is to depersonalize your home by clearing out anything intimate. This may include photographs, high-end decorative pillows, personal towels and linens, and family heirlooms, like antiques. On the other hand, it is thoughtful (but not necessary) to stock the house with many of the things a guest could need including gas for the grill, beach chairs, paper products, cleaning supplies, and shampoo and body wash.

"I go through the house before rental season begins and remove anything unique to my family that I might have purchased or brought during our last stay," Diane said. "It's certainly not empty when guests arrive, but it's very simple. All decorative items are related to the ocean and beach rather than to me personally. I also make sure that items, like rugs and throw pillows, are nice, but durable, and can be used either indoors or outdoors. And I have a special set of new, clean towels and linens for guests who don't want to bring their own."

Also, contrary to what you might think would happen after years of renting her home, Diane says it's actually gotten tougher to remain emotionally detached from the property.

"The best advice another rental property owner gave me was to have as little physical contact with the guests as possible," she said. "I know that sounds cold, but we really don't need to know each other beyond contact information. If they call me, I am glad to answer questions. Otherwise, the whole rental process happens through emails and snail mail."


Tip #2 : Make sure to set clear financial goals and objectives so you know if your rental property is working for you.

Businesses, large and small, set up a tracking system so that they can regularly check results. This is how they stay on top of whether or not they are profitable, have effective marketing campaigns, or have satisfied customers. With the facts in hand, business owners can determine if they stay the course or change directions, and we recommend you think about your vacation home rental in a similar vein.

A good place to start is by setting goals such as: "We will rent this property for 12 weeks this year so our family can enjoy it other months" or "Our family doesn't really want to use this property so we want it to be rented out all year round."

Diane and her husband Mark, for instance, carve out a "rental season" for their vacation home that runs from mid-June through Labor Day. This leaves their vacation home available to their own family for long holiday weekends throughout the year.

"Also, we only allow rentals on a weekly basis, despite the fact that we get inquiries for just weekend stays quite a bit," Diane said. “But these short stays don't fit our financial or maintenance goals. For example, we don't want to have to do exorbitant housekeeping after a group of wedding guests comes in for the weekend. To us, that sounds like a lot of wear and tear on our place for not much return."

In addition, it's important to have clear objectives for your rental property like "We want to make enough income this year to cover our mortgage and taxes" or "We want to make enough money this year to take a special family vacation."

Once your goals and objectives are established, you'll need to do some good old-fashioned math to figure out how much you need to charge guests and how many weeks you need booked in order to achieve your financial objectives. If you're trying to cover expenses, don't forget to factor in any renovations or repairs that you have planned, and, just in case, have a cushion for the unexpected.


Tip #3 : Recruit a supportive team of people who can help with your home rental.

In business, a team can generally achieve more than any one individual can achieve on their own. Even sole proprietors have at least a handful of people that they can lean on for support when it comes to achieving their goals. Similarly, if you are choosing the home rental route, going this path solely on your own, with no supporting cast, is likely to end badly for you and your guests.

According to many of our rental property owners, a reliable cleaning person is a great first team member. But not just for the obvious reason that you need them to do a thorough scrubbing, dusting, vacuuming and restocking in between renters. This person, if willing, can also be your eyes, ears and nose to the ground. Enlist him/her to check things out when your instincts and experience are telling you there is something not quite right with a rental guest. You may not like what your cleaning person finds, whether it's very messy guests or broken furniture and appliances, but at least you will know well in advance of your next renters.

"When I have a long rental, say two weeks, I offer guests a free light cleaning at the end of the first week," Diane said. "This actually has less to do with maintenance and much more to do with my cleaner sleuthing out any trouble before it's too late."

It's also beneficial to make very nice with your neighbors so that you feel comfortable asking them to alert you to any nonsense going on at your rental property. What kinds of things would you ask them to look out for? Say you only allow six people and two cars per rental, but it's clear that the primary renters are piling in family or friends that exceed your home's occupancy. Or, you may have a strict pet policy that does not allow any furry friends, and yet your guests are seen letting their best pal out in the backyard. If you have a "team" of neighbors spying on your home for you, then you can be confident you will get a call when your renters are not playing by the rules.

Another important team member is a maintenance guy or gal. This person may not be able to fix all the issues that arise when guests are staying at your home, but it's key that they have enough experience to verify if and when there is a serious problem that needs your attention. They can also let you know if the issue may be a result of user error, like your renters leaving the freezer door open all night and complaining the fridge is not working.

A home sharing app can be a fantastic virtual team member as well. These services potentially expose your rental house, condo, townhome, cabin, cottage, or estate to millions of potential guests. Home sharing apps also tout services that help you succeed in getting more bookings and earning the most money you can, like a reservation calendar, secure online payment options, and a 24-hour customer service support team. Finally, you still have the ability to determine the rental policies, when you want to rent, and to whom. 

Make sure that the app(s) you use offer vacationers an online payment system that is 100 percent secure. And ask them if they have a money-back guarantee if you do not get bookings for your rental.

Who you decide to have on your rental team will depend a lot on the characteristics of the property you are renting; you may require services like landscaping, snow removal, or even property management. However, Greylock strongly recommends including these two professionals in the rental process no matter what: Your attorney and your insurance agent. (We'll expand on their importance in Tips #4 and #5.)



Tip #4 : Have your attorney create professional rental documents for you, or at minimum review all your paperwork.

Yes, sorry folks, but as is the case for any business, there will be paperwork involved. And not just with the start-up phase, but also ongoing.

Some of the home sharing apps provide sample forms and contracts to help you manage your bookings and your property, including: rental agreement; invoice; template for responding to inquiries; directions and pre-arrival information for guests; welcome letter and checkout policy; security deposit refund/withholding letter; renter feedback survey; cleaning and maintenance list; and rental listing checklist

Note that any sample forms provided are meant only as a guide. HomeAway, for instance, is clear that you should revise these forms for the needs of your particular property. Plus, have your attorney review your rental rules agreement/contract to ensure that the terms and conditions of your contract comply with the state and local laws, as well as with the rules and covenants specific to your vacation rental property's location.

We also encourage you to leave detailed instructions for travelers telling them every little thing they need to know about the home, the appliances, the condo association rules, the beach, the parking, the area, and much more. This will save you the agony of guests calling you with questions like how to use the TV remote or make ice.



Tip #5 : Get comprehensive insurance specifically designed for your vacation rental.

No business owner in their right mind would ever considering opening their doors without being properly insured. And since each business has its own unique requirements, it's critical that owners speak with a qualified insurance agent about the right coverages to protect them from all the risks associated with running a company.

Likewise, now that you've decided to transition your private home into a vacation rental property, it's important to speak with your insurance agent about the proper insurance for this new status.

Be aware that your current carrier may not be able to accommodate your new situation as there are a limited number of national providers who offervacation or seasonal rental home coverage. However, Greylock is very pleased to offer our clients access to this unique type of insurance through our strong partnership with Foremost Insurance.

"While your standard homeowners coverage may be fine for your primary residence, most of these common carriers do not have options for investment properties like a seasonal or short-term rental," said Brad Schoenbach, East Zone manager of Foremost. "And while Foremost insures all types of homes, if you don't want to switch your other policies to us that's completely fine. We'll help you with the proper insurance protection for your vacation rental even if that's all you require from us."

Foremost also will assist you even if your rental property is outside of your primary state of residence.

"Say you live in Pittsfield, but have a cabin in New Hampshire or a home in upstate New York that you rent out. You can count on Foremost to cover this property, whereas most other carriers have more restrictions and may not cover this out-of-state rental property," Schoenbach said.

What exactly does vacation and seasonal rental home insurance cover? There are a variety of products and different levels of coverage, so it's important to work with your local independent insurance agent to determine what is best for the usage, value and condition of your rental property. But, in general, there are two types of policies: a basic policy (called a Dwelling Fire One) and a more comprehensive policy (called a Dwelling Fire Three).

At Greylock Insurance we strongly believe in educating homeowners on what they are buying, so here are some important details about each type of policy that will help you make an informed choice:

Dwelling Fire One Policy (basic): designed to insure primarily just the rental property, not the belongings inside; however, most insurers will offer a small amount of coverage for "contents" in the home as well. This type of policy may be suitable if you have minimal investment in appliances, furniture, linens and other things that you are supplying to your rental guests.

Dwelling Fire Three Policy (comprehensive): more commonly used in short term rental situations because it has an "Open Peril" clause that covers losses to the home's structure, loss of use or rental coverage, and usually personal liability. However, contents like furniture and appliances are not always automatically included.

Frank Bradley, Senior Territory manager of Foremost, said, "The key really is to contact an independent insurance agent, like Greylock Insurance, the moment you decide you are changing your ownership style. If you continue to insure the rental property under your existing homeowners policy, you absolutely put yourself at significant risk for not being covered for losses."

It's important to note that this insurance only covers the home you are renting; boats, golf carts, ATVs, or snowmobiles will require separate policies should you want to allow renters to use them.

Bradley clarified this crucial point even further: "Many homeowners have their fun toys that they view as going along with the rental, but these items require entirely different coverage. At Foremost, we will work with you on finding the right insurance product for your watercraft and other leisure items. Having multiple policies with us can also provide significant costs savings to homeowners."

Also, depending on the insurance carrier, rules and restrictions for renting your property may vary. Because terms differ widely among insurers, make sure you work with an agent who represents multiple insurance companies to ensure the best possible fit and, more importantly, so that any claims will be processed smoothly for you.

It's a big world out there, but it doesn't have to be scary. There's no doubt that travelers' changing desires and the rise of home sharing apps has created a whole new and larger world for vacation home renters.

If you're a newcomer to renting your vacation home rental, Greylock Insurance understands that it might be unsettling to put your information out there for millions of people to access and to receive inquiries from people all over the world.

From our perspective as well as other homeowners we've talked to, it's perfectly fine to tell a prospective guest that your home is booked if your gut is telling you something is not right. The most important thing is to protect yourself and your property.

The Greylock Insurance team is here to offer Berkshire homeowners peace of mind throughout the rental process by finding you the best insurance coverage for your property's specific needs. Please call 888-200-4445 for assistance.
Resource :http://www.iberkshires.com/story/52917/Is-Renting-Out-Your-Vacation-Home-Right-For-You-.html

Microsoft's Cortana in refrigerators to help intelligent food management

New York, Sep 3 (IANS) Tech giant Microsoft and large equipment manufacturer Liebherr are collaborating on a new generation of smart refrigerators that would help in shopping and planning meals with intelligent food management.

"As part of the Liebherr household appliances division's digital initiative, the duo would develop 'SmartDeviceBox' -- a communication module which fits into refrigerators and freezers -- connecting them to the internet," T.J. Hazen, Principal Data Scientist Manager at Microsoft, wrote.

The system, which would utilise the same machine learning technology used in Microsoft's artificial intelligence (AI) assistant Cortana, is designed to have a long lifecycle.

With this technology, modular units can be integrated and upgraded at any time in existing SmartDevice-ready appliances to create value and comfort for customers through new digital features and solutions, the post on Microsoft blog said.

With the refrigerators, stored groceries can be monitored using internal cameras and object recognition technology. It can capture images for viewing and also recognise individual food items inside the refrigerator.

"This information flows automatically into an inventory list, which lets the customer see quickly and clearly what is in the refrigerator from anywhere. Using the 'SmartDeviceBox' voice module, additional groceries can be added to a shopping list that customers can access when on the move using an app for iOS, Android or Windows devices," the post noted.

The current system is a prototype and the deep learning technology it uses is rapidly maturing.

Resource   http://ianslive.in/index.php?param=news/Microsofts_Cortana_in_refrigerators_to_help_intelligent_food_management-524195/SCIENCE%20and%20TECHNOLOGY/36